08/12/12

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

-Matthew 28:1

Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

-John 21:2-3

After Jesus died everyone went back to their old lives. The men went fishing. The women went to the tomb because they thought He was dead. They had their expectations for the Messiah. They thought He was going to change everything, they had their plans then when it didn't happen like they thought they gave up and went back to the way things were.

I wonder how they all felt. How disappointing. I know how they all felt. I've had plans that I knew for certain were from You and Your will for my life. Then when it didn't happen I was so confused so angry so disappointed. I can hear Simon, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John, Mary and Mary Magdalene walking Sunday morning heads down thinking "what the heck God? You were suppose to save us. This isn't the way it was suppose to end."

I remember telling You the same things. "Where are You Lord? This isn't how my life is suppose to go. I swear this was Your will. Did You fail Jesus?"

One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. “Listen to this dream,” he said. “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!”

-Genesis 37:5-7

Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!”

-Genesis 37:9

So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt.

-Genesis 37:28

So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained.

-Genesis 39:20

What about Joseph's dreams. You told him he was going to rule over his brothers even his own parents. But he found himself sold into slavery then thrown into prison. That's the exact opposite of ruling.

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.

-Matthew 28:2-6

At dawn a man was standing on the beach, He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.

-John 21:5-7

Things might not go exactly the way I expect them too. The disciples and the Mary's thought You'd failed. They thought You weren't the Messiah. But just when they thought all hope was lost, just then they thought the all powerful God had failed, You came through. You weren't in the tomb. You didn't stay dead. You didn't fail. You never fail.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck. Then he had Joseph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-in-command. And wherever Joseph went, the command was shouted, “Kneel down!” So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt. And Pharaoh said to him, “I am Pharaoh, but no one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval.”

Genesis 41:41-44

You are a good God. You are faithful. Your timing is perfect and Your plans are for my good. I ask for more faith in Your will and Your goodness. Just because things don't seem to be going the exact way I expected them to go that it doesn't mean You've abandoned me or that You've failed. Teach me patience.

Safe Place - Enter The Worship Circle